Aeroplane wing



FIPB301 Ap l, 1930.

C. W. VINCENT AEROPLANE WING INVENTOR ATTORNEY 244-. AtHUNAu mo April 1, 1930. c. w. VINCENT 1,753,075

' AEROPLANE WING Filed Ncv. 2, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED CHARLES W. VINCENT, OF KINGSTON, PENNSYLVANIA AEROPLANE WING Application filed November My present invention has reference to flying machines, and has for its object the provision of means operable from the cockpit of the ship for altering the angle of inclina tion of the wings of the machine and thereby provide the same with a safety device which will prevent tail spins or nose dives for any greater length of time than is necessary for the operator to raise the wings and level off the plane; wherein, should the plane lose velocity through engine troubles or not enough of throttle or under storm conditions and the machine should start down head first the wings may be operated to right the machine, wherein the adjustment of the wings will bring the machine out of a spin or nose dive and by gradually dropping or lowering the wings the plane can level off to suit a landing or wherein by lifting one wing the operator can spiral the machine near the ground and then by lifting both wings he can come out of the spiral in the location or direction in which he is to land and in short, to place the machine at all times under the perfect control of the pilot.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the application, with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therefrom as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an air craft equipped with the improvement.

Figure 2 is a sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

To the opposite sides of an alrship 1, ad-

jacent to the cock pit thereof I removably se- 2, 1929. Serial No. 404,340.

cure the inner uprights 2 of substantially rectangular frames 3. The frames 3 each i11- clude the spaced pairs of inner uprights 2, a spaced pair of outer uprights 4, truss braces 5 between the uprights at the front, rear and at the outer side of the frames. Each of the frames 3 supports at the lower end thereof the lower wings 6, and the forward and rounded ends of these arched wings 6 are hollow so that the front uprights 2 and 4 extend therethrough. The frames 3 have their outer uprights 4 connected by longitudinal frame.

members 7 and the said frames may be otherwise strengthened.

It is to be noted that the frames 3 being removably secured to the sides of the airship 1 may be readily attached to or detached from the said ship.

The rear uprights or corner posts of each of the frames have preferably secured thereto eyes 8 to which are connected links 9 that engage with depending eyes 10 on the under faces and at the rear of the upper control wings 11 of the ship. The wings 11 are also arched longitudinally and have their forward and nose ends rounded. The forward end of each of the wings, in a line with the front uprights 2 and 4 of the frames 3, have secured thereon depending ears 12 to which are pivotally connected the upper ends of rods 13. The front uprights 2 and 4 of the respective frames are hollow and the rods 13 are guided through these uprights. Each rod, on its inner face and adjacent to its lower end is provided with a rack surface 14 and the outer or lower end of each rod is headed, as

The front uprights 2 and 4 of the respective frames 3 preferably pass through and extend a suitable distance below the lower supporting wings 6 and as these wings are hollow they are formed adjacent to their nose end and to the rear of the rack surface on the rods 13 with upwardly arched portions 16 for the reception of toothed wheels 17 that mesh with the racks 14. The toothed wheels 17 are fixed on shafts 18 that are journaled in suitable bearings through the wings and extend into the cockpit 19 of the aircraft.

The inner ends of the shafts 18 are preferably beveled and formed with right angle surfaces, as at 20, the said flared or beveled ends being received in sockets 21 at the ends of tubular members 22 that are journaled in suitable bearings 23 on the floor of the cockpit 19. Preferably integrally formed on the inner end of each of the tubular members 22 there is a lever 24L and each of the levers carries a spring influenced handle operated dog 25 designed to engage with the teeth of arched racks 26 which are also secured on the floor of the cockpit.

It is to be noted that the levers and pawls are conveniently located with respect to the pilot of the airship, with the result that either of the shafts 18 may be turned to impart a vertical movement to the rack carrying rods 13 and thereby independently raise or lower either of the wings 11. It will be further noted that by dividing the wings of the plane into separate units and by making each movable separately of movable together and each operated by separate levers the plane can be maneuvered or moved or controlled while in the air or on the ground better than where only one wing or a slotted wing employed. By operating the levers the plane will be prevented from tail spins, as it is merely necessary for the pilot to raise the wings and thereby level ofi the plane. As the wings are adjustable one or both can be set to suit any weather condition and by lifting the wings the plane can be lifted off the ground in a quicker manner than is ordinary. When taxying the plane may be brought to a stop by lifting the wings in approximately onehalf the distance of planes equipped with the ordinary wings, and with less vibration to the wings. The lifting wing also serves to lift the plane and hold back without the necessity of braking means. The plane can land at a much slower speed by raising the wings and can descend very abruptly without the usual long spiral. Should the pilot find himself against strong head winds the wing can be lowered below par (by par I mean the an-- gle at which the solid wing is now set). This is very valuable as it increases the speed and saves gasoline. If the plane is accumulating ice the wings and head are so much larger than the rest of the body it will bear down in front but the movable wing permits of the body retaining proper balance. Each wing can be made strong enough to carry thereon a small engine fora propeller which can be used separately or independently of the motor carried by the body. The frames are, therefore, strong and sturdy but as stated the said frames and wings may be readily removed from the plane by detaching the securing means and pulling the frame and wings thereon laterally to bring the ends 20 of the shafts out of the sockets 21.

Should the steering apparatus freeze or should another accident occur the right wing can be moved up so that the plane will turn to the right and by moving the left wing the plane will turn to the left. Obviously the frame is shaped to conform with the sides of the machine and the upper wing may be placed further in front of the machine than the lower wing, thus making the frame a parallelogram, an oblique angled parallelogram or rhombus. Also the wings may be extended to meet at the center above the cabin of the plane, and when the wings are placed low they will butt up against the cabin.

Having described the invention, I claim Substantially rectangular skeleton frames removably secured to the sides of an aircraft, lower supporting wings fixed to the frames, upper control wings having their rear ends hingedly secured to the frames, bars movable through the front elements of the frames and pivotally secured to the control means and having lower rack surfaces, said bars having headed ends for limiting the movement thereof through the frames, toothed wheels having shafts journaled through the frames, an operating lever for each of the shafts arranged in the cockpit of the aircraft, segmental racks and hand operated pawls for the levers engageable with the racks, and said levers having socket ends to receive the inner ends of the shafts therein.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES l/V. VINCENT. 

